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Bill to allow beer growlers in Florida gets support

TALLAHASSEE — A bill that would legalize half-gallon beer growlers passed a House committee after language craft brewers said would hurt them was stripped from the legislation.

The House Business and Professional Regulation Subcommittee approved the bill Monday that would allow beer growlers in any size. Florida only allows the refillable beer jugs in quart and gallon sizes — not the 64-ounce container that are sold in 47 other states.

The bill sponsored by Rep. Ray Rodrigues originally contained regulations that craft brewers opposed, such as banning sales of their product in kegs, bottles and cans at the breweries.

Gabe Grass plans to open Grasslands Brewing Company in Tallahassee in July. He said the original bill was "scary" for small startup brewers, and he was pleased with final version.